At least four people have been killed after a passenger train collided head-on with a freight train in the Czech Republic.

Twenty-three people were injured in the incident that happened late on Wednesday night in the city of Pardubice – 62 miles (100km) east of Prague.

Interior minister Vit Rakusan said the high-speed passenger train belonged to the private RegioJet company.

He added that none of the injured was in life-threatening condition.

Transport minister Martin Kupka said the main track between Prague and the eastern part of the country had to be closed while authorities investigate the collision.

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“We can’t and won’t speculate about the cause of the accident,” Mr Kupka said.

The state-run train company, Czech Railways, said it was likely the track would remain closed for at least 24 hours “due to the extent of the accident”.

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Rescuers said more than 300 passengers were on board the high-speed train heading for the city of Kosice in eastern Slovakia.

The dead have not yet been identified.

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According to local news agency CTK, the drivers in both engines survived.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala called the crash a big tragedy and offered his condolences to the families of those killed.

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